Please perish the thought dear reader, Hardball would not dare repeat here, that silly tale about Malaysia taking a few palm oil seedlings from Nigeria in the 60s, blah, blah, blah. Even Hardball would probably cry if he hears that story one more time. It is a sad tale about Nigeria’s failure; everyone knows it, everyone tells it to everyone who re-tells to everyone who re-tells, on and on, ad-nauseam. We have probably told it for all of three decades… Read more

In the past few years, books published by Parresia Book Publishers have been making waves on the literary scene. One of its books clinched the NLNG Nigerian Literature Prize in 2015. Another work titled: A Good Mourning, by Ogaga Ifowodo made the shortlist of three this year. Richard Ali, lawyer, poet and co-founder of Parresia Books, in this interview with Edozie Udeze addresses some of the reasons why its authors do well and the secret behind the firm’s success. Excerpts … Read more

Please perish the thought dear reader, Hardball would not dare repeat here, that silly tale about Malaysia taking a few palm oil seedlings from Nigeria in the 60s, blah, blah, blah. Even Hardball would probably cry if he hears that story one more time. It is a sad tale about Nigeria’s failure; everyone knows it, everyone tells it to everyone who re-tells to everyone who re-tells, on and on, ad-nauseam. We have probably told it for all of three decades… Read more

These are not the best of times in our country. Anywhere you turn to it is always the same thing people are talking about. Times are hard and they are terribly so. In the midst of it all there is some comic relief, but many of us still go about wearing long faces. It seems we have lost our sense of humour because of the prevailing economic hardship. We take what we should laugh over as something serious and we… Read more

Today is Impact Journalism Day, and 55 newspapers unite to celebrate changemakers everywhere Our world is changing —in many ways for the better. Poverty and child mortality rates are declining, increasing numbers of primary age children attend school, and world leaders are taking collective action to counter climate change. The media is uniquely placed to tell the individual stories behind trends like these. The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN IFRA) has also identified solutions journalism as a growing pillar… Read more

As Nigerian authors gathered last week in Lagos to discuss the theme: Everybody feeds on the author, but who feeds the author? it was clear that the yearly Nigeria International Book Fair is an avenue to proffer ways to prosper the book sector, Edozie Udeze reports. One of the major highlights of the Nigeria International Book Fair every year is the gathering of Nigerian authors to deliberate on burning issues that trouble the book sector in the country. This year’s… Read more

Four Diaspora African writers in this dialogue talk about their constant touch with their native lands for their political and historical narratives. In this interaction with Edozie Udeze held during the just concluded Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, they deliberated on the need for writers to continue to be in touch with their people The basic lesson learnt from this year’s Ake Arts and Book Festival which ended in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on 22nd of… Read more

Ever witnessed a play by a group of deaf actors? This was the spectacle recently at a live drama performance in Lagos by Magic Finger Entertainment, a group of deaf actors and actresses doing the hitherto unthinkable. Just how do they manage to achieve this feat? Yetunde Oladeinde caught up with the team leader and originator, Richard Ezekiel, an energetic, never-say-die actor who sees no barriers. Through an interpreter Ezekiel spoke of his silent world, challenges, memorable moments and early… Read more

Facilitator of Ornaments of Grace and Virtue, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to promoting the welfare of young girls, Mrs Kehinde Omojola, speaks to OLUWATOYIN ADELEYE on how they can prevent sexual harassment. THE rape scandal rocking the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has, once again, thrown up questions on why undergraduates fail to seek redress through the channels provided by their institutions when sexually harassed by their lecturers. Dr. Akin Baruwa, a part-time lecturer of UNILAG, on Thursday, July 23,… Read more

The Gambia's Ministry of Information and Communication have revoked the permits issued to some Al-Jazeera journalists to report human interest stories in the country, official sources at the ministry, said. ``The team of Al-Jazeera journalists were in Banjul to film and report on human interest stories but were later turned down by the authorities. ``They were asked to stop filming or risk being arrested after the government annulled their credentials,’’ the sources said. Gambia's Ministry of Information, which issued the… Read more

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said his principal will not request any journalist to “kill” stories for him. Adesina said instead of doing that, the administration would rather encourage reporters to run stories that would critically examine the workings of government and provide it with the way forward. A statement yesterday by the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Malachy Agbo, said Adesina spoke on Thursday at a… Read more

Last Thursday took me to Whitesands School in Lekki, Lagos State, to witness the launch of a book, The Sail, written by some secondary school boys. It was an impressive exercise. It was one that challenged the boys to come up with something that they are proud of today. They have their name in print as contributors to a publication. Though new in Nigeria, Principal of the School, Dr Lorenzo David, noted that it was a regular tradition in schools… Read more

Past participants at the CAMPUSLIFE Correspondents’ Workshop were the cynosure of all eyes as they shared their experiences with others at the 13th edition held last weekend in Lagos. The panel discussion, moderated by a public relations consultant, Mr Agbo Agbo, involved Jumoke Awe, Femi Asu, Gilbert Alasa and Francis Egwuatu. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University) reports. After spending five years for her law degree at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, and one year… Read more